System and method for assembling and deploying satellites

Abstract

A satellite deployment system has a plurality of releasable dispenser modules that are attached to each other with each module carrying satellites. Each dispenser module acts as an individual final stage with its own propulsion unit and deploys a subset of satellites to the appropriate altitude and orbit. Since each dispenser module can deploy its satellites far from other dispenser modules, the risk of collision among the satellites is greatly reduced, which allows a large number of satellites to be launched in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A satellite deployment system comprising:
 a plurality of releasable dispenser modules attached to each other, each releasable dispenser module adapted to support at least one satellite to be deployed in orbit; and 
 a controller adapted to:
 release each dispenser module from a launch vehicle; and 
 for the each released module, release into space the at least one satellite from the released dispenser module. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The satellite deployment system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes a module controller for each dispenser module, the module controller adapted to release the at least one satellite into space. 
     
     
       3. The satellite deployment system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the each dispenser module is ring-shaped and is stacked on top of each other; and 
 the at least one satellite is releasably attached to an outer surface of the each ring-shaped dispenser module. 
 
     
     
       4. The satellite deployment system of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of satellites are releasably attached to an associated dispenser module. 
     
     
       5. The satellite deployment system of  claim 1 , further comprising a propulsion unit attached to each dispenser module, wherein the controller includes a module controller for each dispenser module, the module controller adapted to propel the released dispenser module and to release the at least one satellite into space. 
     
     
       6. The satellite deployment system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each dispenser module has a protrusion and a recess; 
 the recess of the each dispenser module receives the protrusion of a second dispenser module; and 
 the recess of a third dispenser module receives the protrusion of the each dispenser module. 
 
     
     
       7. The satellite deployment system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each dispenser module has a plurality of separation mechanisms that releasably attach an adjacent dispenser module to the each dispenser module. 
 
     
     
       8. The satellite deployment system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to sequentially release the dispenser modules. 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium whose content causes the computer to perform the steps of:
 releasing from a launch vehicle a plurality of dispenser modules that are releasably attached to each other, each dispenser module supporting at least one satellite to be deployed in space; and 
 for the each released dispenser module, releasing the at least one satellite from the released dispenser module. 
 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the content causing the computer to perform the steps is stored at least partially in a module controller for each dispenser module. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the step of releasing the at least one satellite includes sequentially releasing a plurality of satellites that are releasably attached to the each released dispenser module. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the steps further comprise propelling the each released dispenser module into a predetermined position in space prior to executing the step of releasing the at least one satellite from the released dispenser module. 
     
     
       13. A method of assembling a plurality of satellites for launch into space comprising:
 attaching a plurality of releasable dispenser modules to each other, the attached dispenser modules being individually releasable in space; and 
 attaching at least one releasable satellite to each releasable dispenser module. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising attaching a controller to each dispenser module, each controller adapted to release the at least one satellite attached to the each dispenser module after the dispenser module is released from a launch vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the each dispenser module is ring-shaped; and 
 the plurality of dispenser modules are stacked vertically on top of each other. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of attaching at least one releasable satellite includes attaching a plurality of satellites on an outer surface of the each ring-shaped dispenser module. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising attaching a propulsion unit to each dispenser module, the propulsion unit adapted to propel the each released dispenser module and to release the at least one satellite into space. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein each dispenser module has a protrusion and a recess and the step of attaching a plurality of releasable dispenser modules to each other includes:
 inserting the protrusion of a second dispenser module into the recess of one dispenser module; and 
 inserting the protrusion of the one dispenser module to the recess of a third dispenser module, wherein each recess of the plurality of dispenser modules is part of a separation mechanism adapted to release the associated protrusion. 
 
     
     
       19. A method of deploying a plurality of satellites from a launch vehicle having a dispenser attached thereto, the dispenser having a plurality of releasable dispenser modules attached to each other, each releasable dispenser module supporting at least one satellite, the method comprising:
 positioning the launch vehicle at a predetermined position; 
 sequentially releasing the dispenser modules from the launch vehicle; 
 for each released dispenser module,
 moving the each released module into a predetermined location; 
 releasing the at least one satellite from the each released module. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The method  claim 19 , wherein:
 the each dispenser module is ring-shaped; and 
 the plurality of dispenser modules are stacked vertically on top of each other. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one satellite is attached to an outer surface of the each ring-shaped dispenser module. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of moving the each released module into a predetermined location includes controlling a propulsion unit attached to the each released module.